NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20
I’ve said it numerous times, but I’m not the protagonist.
The innate special abilities, exceptional talents, and unwavering resolve to achieve one’s goals—that’s the stuff of protagonists, completely unrelated to someone like me, Extra 1.
For thousands of years.
The Alliance Leader has lived since the mythological era.
In fact, if we were to purely count the time lived, I might have even surpassed that.
Depending on the world, there were even places where humans almost overcame death.
I can’t use a technique so close to divinity that allows one to capture space and traverse between dimensions.
I’ve never learned it, and I lack the talent to learn it.
But you know,
What I’ve realized over my seven lives is this:
In a world where superhumans exist, no matter how outstanding one’s skills are, it doesn’t matter when you’re overwhelmed by specs.
Thud—
The hook I threw strikes the Alliance Leader’s head.
His appearance is already so bloodied that it’s hard to recognize his original face.
Even so, he stubbornly swings his sword.
“You’re hanging on like a stubborn cockroach.”
The punch of a muscle A-rated superhuman.
If it landed properly, even the Alliance Leader’s head would burst open…
“Jealousy is such a bitter thing.”
It spilled out.
Given the overwhelming gap in our specs, even spilling blood would have inflicted serious damage, yet he still endures.
How many experiences must one accumulate, how exceptional must one’s skills be to reach that level?
No, it’s not simply a matter of experience.
Talent.
That brilliant glow bestowed upon those labeled as protagonists from birth.
He ended the mythological era.
Opened the era of humans.
An achievement so daunting that ordinary criminals can’t even dare to challenge it.
A survivor of ancient times.
Perhaps the Alliance Leader was born as the protagonist of that era.
“I’m really envious.”
Favor of the world.
Although the Alliance Leader was a past protagonist, the remnants of that past still emitted a starlike glow, despite his frail body.
“What a mere [Abnormality]!”
Clearly, a body that should have collapsed continues to balance itself and brandishes the sword.
A technique that has reached the realm of the [Miracle].
Abilities that can’t be achieved with skills granted to mere humans.
The remnants of favoritism still shine, despite being frail and dulled.
The sword splits apart like a divergence.
Not an illusion, but a reality.
A phantom sword with a substance that moves beyond space.
Like the step techniques that transcended space,
A tangible phantom sword that strikes the very fabric of space, splitting apart as it moves.
As if to take my mobility away, it targets my legs.
As if snatching away my power, it targets my arms.
This time, it simultaneously aims for my head, as if declaring it will kill me.
‘I can see it.’
It’s different from the first time my heart was struck.
Reflexes A-rated.
Recognizing the moment the space is struck and split, my body reacts.
Strength A-rated.
The superhuman physique assists that movement, producing movements impossible for normal humans to replicate.
My body slightly leaps into the air, twisting to evade attacks coming from above, below, left, and right.
“Not working anymore.”
Fwuh—
Adding to my momentum, I twist my body and drive my hind foot squarely into the Alliance Leader’s abdomen.
“Gah!”
Bam! Boom—
“This time, it landed properly.”
Due to the awkward posture weakened by the struggle, this attack was one the Alliance Leader couldn’t evade.
His insides compress and burst, bones fragmenting.
The fact that his outer skin has not ruptured, maintaining its form, already proves how robust the Alliance Leader’s body is…
Twist—
Using the sword as a cane, he rises again.
Yet, the menacing glow in his eyes is chillingly fierce.
His body has long surpassed its limits, and it wouldn’t be strange if he died at any moment.
“Damn… [Abnormality]! This world is for humanity… You all…!”
“I really can’t let this go.”
Honestly, it was my first punch that landed when I substituted in for the [Ashen King] and began the retry.
With that single hit, the outcome was decided.
A lethal blow that the Alliance Leader swung with determination to kill.
That blow was utterly futile, and in the midst of his confusion, my counterstrike was naturally a full-powered shot.
Receiving that blow squarely on his face, the Alliance Leader wouldn’t have found it strange if he died on the spot.
Even so, his persistence stems from sheer will and malice.
To be honest, during those initial moments, hitting my enemy felt liberating, but at this point, it’s almost pitiable.
“Bears, bring me my smartphone!”
The battle was already over.
The Alliance Leader, unable to even maintain his own body, was in no condition to wield his sword.
“Here you go.”
I took the smartphone handed to me by the bear and started operating it.
“What are you doing….”
“What do you think I’m doing?”
“It’s not over yet!”
“How dare you [Abnormality] insult me?!”
Such a loud voice he has.
“Settings complete. Old man’s temper is really something, wait a moment.”
As I announced the donation settings via chat, my smartphone started buzzing like crazy.
– ‘Meteor Central Stick’ donated 1,000 won.
Oh! The donation has opened.
– ‘Fish Cake Lover’ donated 1,000 won.
So what the hell is going on here?
I looked at the incoming donations and spoke to the viewers.
“As I mentioned earlier, the mastermind currently causing trouble in Seoul. Any words you’d like to say?”
– ‘Gentleman Smash’ donated 1,000 won.
Ah, I heard it from the bear.
– ‘Meteor Central Stick’ donated 1,000 won.
He keeps saying it’s for humanity, but isn’t that insane?
– ‘kkkk’ donated 3,000 won.
How can someone claiming to be for humanity commit slaughter?
– ‘Big Bro Floor Mat’ donated 10,000 won.
Everything’s for humanity. (While committing genocide)
A flood of donations kept pouring in.
It had been a while since the barrier collapsed, and the traces of the massacre were now laid bare.
Furthermore, during the fight, I had heard from the bear about the series of events, and helicopters that looked like they came from the broadcasting station were broadcasting the situation live.
As time went on, the messages coming through donations grew more sinister and, naturally…
Shaking violently…
All of it reached the ears of the Alliance Leader.
“This is what people think.”
What? It’s for humanity?
Nonsense.
The world was already on the brink of destruction.
How could they, while being at a loss themselves, try to hoard people to survive and control the media? Now it comes back to bite them?
Moreover, while spouting all that, they’re engaging in civilian slaughter.
Is this behavior tolerable, regardless of the justification?
“Shut up!”
Boom!
“Ahh!”
With the Alliance Leader’s shout, a tremendous force exploded forth.
The force gained physical strength, unleashing shockwaves around.
As I grabbed the bear, which was blown away by the impact, I couldn’t help but think about the Alliance Leader.
That’s not control, is it?
It’s different from the previous pressure he exerted.
A broken body.
Dazed from being hit in the head multiple times.
Mind shaken by the recent donations.
When those blend with his anger towards the current situation, the uncontrolled force spreads out, destroying everything.
“What do those born in the age of peace know!”
“Fools and idiots!”
“Who do you think created the peace you enjoy?”
“Me! I created it all!”
“You fools! You should just continue being managed as you have until now!”
The Alliance Leader bursts out in indignation.
If he were in a normal state, he wouldn’t be so affected merely by some insults, but he’s already reached his limit and is in a dazed state.
Being denied by those he sought to protect in that condition, the Alliance Leader has gone mad.
“Usually, protagonists tend to avoid failure.”
Promised success.
Promised future.
Promised happy ending.
Well, it seems there are genres like decay, but at least the protagonists I’ve seen never seemed to suffer significantly throughout their lives.
Where is that in a life already prepared?
At most, their biggest concern was some catfight among the heroines.
“Why don’t you just live appropriately?”
The Alliance Leader is a relic of the old era.
The values of a hero from that age certainly wouldn’t align with modern views.
People, when they grow old, cannot accept the new.
They get trapped in their own beliefs, thinking what they know is right.
Let alone for thousands of years.
Even if he was a [Hero] in the past, now he’s just a senile old fool trapped by the ghosts of his past.
“You!!!”
The moment the Alliance Leader heard my words, he was engulfed in rage and swung the sword that was propping him up.
Swinging his sword with what seemed like his last bits of strength, he was coming for a killing strike.
But.
“If you use a big technique with that body…”
The openings are way too severe.
“Ah—”
Smash—
As my fist hit home, his head shattered, seemingly the result of reaching his true limits.
The being that had toppled the [God] and led humanity to this point ended so abruptly, it felt almost empty.
*
[Humanity Innovation Alliance]
A prophet who has protected humanity from [Abnormality] and led the advancement of human civilization, and the last survivor of the old era, the [Hero].
The decisive confrontation that summoned the end of the mythological age—[Ragnarok].
The world’s suppressive force that held back all dangers from the underworld and [Abnormality].
That [Alliance] has fallen.
Witnessing it weren’t just civilians.
Even the forces that had been oppressed beneath that power saw it.
The remnants of the old era.
The [Last Hero] has disappeared from the world.
“What will we do now?”
Though Kim Yu-na, an elite, was merely a low-ranking member, she understands.
The suppression power of the [Alliance].
The exposure of [Abnormality] is a problem, but even bigger is the collapse of the [Alliance] itself.
With the suppression power gone, everything oppressed under it will be set free into the world.
Once they come out into the world, the current world will surely be turned upside down.
Just as the Alliance Leader toppled the [God] as the [Last Hero] and opened the era of humans, the world will face another upheaval.
“I know too.”
The forces of the underworld that have been suppressed and [Abnormality] will be unleashed into the world.
The age ahead will be one where [Abnormality] and humanity coexist.
“I have no intention of being swept away.”
The change of the world cannot be stopped.
Then I must determine the direction of that change.
I stared at the two tickets in my hand.
Two coupons awarded as quest rewards.
The usage destination has already been decided.
“[The Alliance] has fallen, and someone must fill that void.”
I spoke to the camera, broadcasting to the entire world.
If that’s the case, now is the perfect opportunity for something above.
“A new force will make its debut in the void left by [the Alliance]!”
The birth of a new force.
A declaration to place my name in a spot that anyone from the underworld would covet, but no one could dare to deny.
“The name of the new force is [Broadcasting Station].”
If anyone dares to deny it, I’ll kindly persuade them otherwise.
The future era will be the age of hunters hunting [Abnormality].